Hoover Reservoir

Hoover Reservoir. . Galena sits at the confluence of Big Walnut and Little Walnut Creeks. The village square was once surrounded on all four sides by buildings and commercial properties on stilts once lined the Big Walnut Creek., Because Columbus considered them hazardous, they were demolished when Hoover Reservoir construction began in 1953. Numerous roads leading from the square were eliminated when the reservoir was built. A third of the village was demolished when the land was flooded to create a drinking water supply for Columbus., Hoover Dam impounds 2,818 acres of water and creates prime fishing and boating areas. The area surrounding the lake features parks, boat launches, and boating areas, and the Hoover Dam Nature Preserve. Hoover Reservoir's north end is classified as an Important Birding Area., The lake usually dries up in the fall, winter and spring, and the resulting mudflats are a key migratory stopping point on the North American Flyway for song and shore birds to rest and eat during their long journeys. This nature lovers' paradise features eagles, waterfowl, and beavers., A great place to view birds is from the City of Columbus' Hoover Boardwalk located on the Front St. in Galena. Osprey platforms have been installed by local volunteers to assist in reintroducing these "fish hawks" in Central Ohio. It is very important to the Osprey's breeding success that boaters avoid the breeding platforms areas., Hoover is also a Prothonotary Warblers reintroduction breeding grounds that have attracted conservationists worldwide to study its success. These colorful migratory song birds are attracted by the plentiful insects near the nest boxes over the water.